The human smuggling fee on the black market to be smuggled into the United States from Cuba is $100,000.
Tag: Cuba Security Threats
Amount of Drugs Washed Up to Shores of Cuba in 2009
The Cuban Government reported that 86 packets of narcotics were washed upon the shores of its island in 2009. The drug washed up to shore and found by authorities were 1,037 kilograms of marijuana, 2 kilograms of cocaine, and 31 kilograms of hashish.
Contraband Trading in Cuba
Up to 20 percent of products distributed by government agencies in Cuba are stolen and then traded on the black market.
Human Smuggling by Cubans in FY08
In Fiscal Year 2008, the US Coast Guard reported that roughly 1,000 Cubans were able to reach US soil. That number was down from the average of 5,000 in previous years. The AP also reported that people pay up to $10,000 to human smugglers to be transported to the United States.
Number of Cuban Cigars Smoked by Americans Each Year
Despite the trade embargo, an estimated 20 million Cuban cigars are smoked by US citizens each year. Americans are able to purchase them in foreign countries such as Canada or Mexico.
Amount of Counterfeit Cuban Cigars Seized in Cuba Each Month
Cuban authorities seize between 1,500 to 1,7000 unauthorized cigars each month in Cuba, according to the AFP. The cigars are made in illegal factories or workshops were workers roll up to 100 cigars per day. The cigars are sold on the black market at a cheaper price than official Cuban cigars.
Cubans smuggled through Mexico to reach US
In 2008, authorities in Mexico arrested more than 2,000 undocumented Cubans in the country. This figure is more than triple the number from 2007. In 2004, less than 200 Cubans were arrested for being undocumented in the country.
In 2007, 11,000 Cubans are believed to have reached US soil from Mexico.
Number of Cuban Cigars Seized in 2005
25,000 boxes of counterfeit Cuban cigars seized in 2005.
US Coast Guard intercepted 3,197 Cuban migrants in 2007
In 2007, the United States Coast Guard interdicted 3,197 Cuban migrants, compared to 2,293 in 2006.
Cuban human smuggling route through Mexico
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, nearly 90 percent of all undocumented Cubans who enter the United States now come through Mexico rather then reaching the U.S. by boat. Migrants pay smugglers up to $10,000 to cross the Yucatan Channel into Mexico and then travel up to the U.S. Border.